Systems and methods for trading with market depth information

ABSTRACT

Techniques for displaying market depth information for a financial instrument including a plurality of bid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of the market instrument and associated time information. A graphical representation of the market depth information, with axes corresponding to time and price, is aligned with color gradients corresponding to one or more metrics including, for example, bid and ask order volume, order count, or order consideration, generated based on the market depth information. The graphical representation of the market depth information and the color gradients are displayed using a display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/928,898 filed Mar. 22, 2018 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORTRADING WITH MARKET DEPTH INFORMATION,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/250,072 filed Apr. 10, 2014 and entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRADING WITH MARKET DEPTH INFORMATION,” nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,959,573, which claims benefit to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/810,356, filed Apr. 10, 2013, and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/810,359, filed on Apr. 10, 2013,each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety andfrom each of which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed subject matter relates to techniques for displaying marketdepth information.

Traders engaged in the trading of market instruments can utilizesoftware products that provide various graphical user interfaces todisplay market price data, execute orders and monitor status ofdifferent market conditions. Market instruments can include anythingthat can be traded in some quantity for a particular price. For example,a market instrument may be goods or financial products (e.g., stocks,bonds, futures, currency, commodities, or other financial instruments).Market instruments may be “real” and listed on an exchange or“synthetic,” such as a combination of real products.

Electronic trading of market instruments has been embraced as the meansfor buying and selling instruments in various market exchangesthroughout the world. Traders can communicate with host computers of themarket exchanges or other intermediary host computers coupled with theexchanges via personal computer or mobile device. Electronic tradingallows for display of information regarding market instruments receivedfrom the host computer which can impact the decision making process ofthe trader with regard to placing trade orders.

The speed at which traders can competitively place an order can beimportant. For example, a trader engaged in electronic trading maydecide to wait or fill an order based on the information made availableto them through the electronic trading application. Even a marginalincrease in speed during such process can yield significant returns fortraders. Conversely, a failure to competitively fill an order in atimely manner can potentially result in significant monetary lossesaccumulated over time.

Traders engaged in electronic trading often process and absorbvoluminous market information made available to them while trading.Certain exchanges can be fast-paced, fluid environments where price,quantity, and other market criteria constantly fluctuate within a shortperiod of time. One type of information about a market instrument thatcan be important to a trader is known as market depth (i.e., thequantities of the market instrument available at particular prices).Certain conventional techniques for display of market depth information,such as tables or charts that depict the current market depth and changeas new trade orders are placed on the exchange, can be cumbersome anddifficult to read. Such conventional techniques can fail to provide adisplay of market depth that is sufficient to identify unusual tradingpatterns. Additionally, such conventional techniques can fail to providea display of market depth history, which can be beneficial in certaindecisions to trade a market instrument—for instance, that informationcan help traders to avoid submitting orders at prices for which largevolumes already exist in the market, as trading ahead of these wouldhave a considerably greater chance of execution

Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques for the display ofmarket depth to provide advantages to a trader, including, for example,the identification of unusual trading patterns, and/or the display ofhistorical market depth for a market instrument.

SUMMARY

The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for displaying marketdepth information, and more particularly provides techniques fordisplaying market depth information for identification of unusualtrading patterns.

In one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a system for displayingmarket depth information includes a computing device including one ormore processors configured to receive market depth information for amarket instrument, said market depth information including a pluralityof bid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of the marketinstrument and associated time information. The computing device isconfigured to generate a graphical representation of the market depthinformation having a first axis corresponding to time and a second axiscorresponding to price of the market instrument. The computing device isconfigured to generate a color gradient corresponding to one or more ofthe plurality of bid and ask order metrics based on at least the marketdepth information. The computing device is configured to align the colorgradient corresponding to one or more of the plurality of bid and askorder metrics at corresponding locations along the first axis and secondaxis of the graphical representation of the market depth information.The system includes a display device, coupled with the computing device,adapted to display the graphical representation of the market depthinformation and the color gradients corresponding to one or more of theplurality of bid and ask order metrics.

In certain embodiments, the computing device can be further configuredto receive market depth information for the market instrument from aplurality of sources. The bid and ask order metrics can include, foreach corresponding price, one or more of order volume at thecorresponding price, number of orders available at the correspondingprice, and consideration of orders available at the corresponding price.

In certain embodiments, the computing device can be configured to splitthe first axis into time intervals and split the second axis into priceintervals, such that the graphical representation of the market depthinformation includes a two-dimensional grid indexed by time interval andprice interval, and the color gradient at each location within the gridcorresponds to a volume over the corresponding time interval. The volumeover the corresponding time interval can include the volume at thebeginning of the time interval, the volume at the end of the timeinterval, or an average volume over the time interval. The computingdevice can be further configured to generate color gradients of a firstcolor for bid orders and generate color gradients of a second color forask orders.

In certain embodiments, the computing device can be further configuredto compare the grid with one or more predetermined criteria indicativeof aberrational order volume at a location within the grid and changethe coloring of locations within the grid corresponding to aberrationalorder volume. The computing device can be configured to calculate anexpected profile for at least one time interval on the grid. Theexpected profile can include an expected volume for each price intervalwithin the time interval, and the computing device can compare theexpected volumes with the order volumes at corresponding priceintervals. The computing device can be further configured to change thecoloring of locations within the grid corresponding to locations wherethe difference between the expected volume and the order volume arebelow a predetermined threshold.

In certain embodiments, the computing device can be further configuredto scroll the grid along the first axis upon a new time interval.Additionally, the system can include an input device, coupled to thecomputing device, for accepting an input from a trader. The computingdevice can be further configured to zoom, scroll, or pan the grid areain response to the input. Additionally or alternatively, the computingdevice can be further configured to accept input from the trader for anorder at a selected price and submit said order at said selected price,and/or generate color gradients of a third color for orders placed intothe market by the trader.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method fordisplaying market depth information includes receiving, at a computingdevice coupled with a display device, market depth information for amarket instrument. The market depth information includes a plurality ofbid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of the marketinstrument and associated time information. The method includesgenerating a graphical representation of the market depth informationhaving a first axis corresponding to time and a second axiscorresponding to price of the market instrument. The method includesgenerating a color gradient corresponding to one or more of theplurality of bid and ask order metrics based on at least the marketdepth information. The method includes aligning the color gradientcorresponding to one or more of the plurality of bid and ask ordermetrics at corresponding locations along the first and second axis ofthe graphical representation of the market depth information. The methodincludes displaying, with the display device the graphicalrepresentation of the market depth information and the color gradientscorresponding to one or more of the plurality of bid and ask ordermetrics.

In certain embodiments, receiving market depth information for themarket instrument can include receiving market depth information from aplurality of sources. The bid and ask order metrics can include ordervolume at the corresponding price, number of orders available at thecorresponding price, and/or consideration of orders available at thecorresponding price.

Generating the graphical representation of the market depth informationcan include generating a two-dimensional grid, such that the first axisis split into time intervals and the second axis is split into priceintervals, the grid is indexed by time interval and price interval, andthe color gradient at each location within the grid corresponds to avolume over the corresponding time interval. The volume overcorresponding time intervals can include the volume at the beginning ofthe time interval, the volume at the end of the time interval, or anaverage volume over the time interval. The method can further includegenerating color gradients of a first color for bid orders and generatecolor gradients of a second color for ask orders.

In certain embodiments, the method can include comparing, with thecomputing device, the grid with one or more predetermined criteriaindicative of aberrational order volume at a location within the gridand changing the coloring of locations within the grid corresponding toaberrational order volume. Comparing the grid with one or morepredetermined criteria can include calculating an expected profile forat least one time interval on the grid. The expected profile can includean expected volume for each price interval at the at least one timeinterval, and the method can include comparing the expected volumes withthe order volumes at corresponding price intervals. The method caninclude changing the coloring of locations corresponding to locationswhere the difference between the expected volume and the order volumeare below a predetermined threshold.

In certain embodiments, the method can further include scrolling thegrid along the first axis upon a new time interval. The method caninclude accepting, with an input device, an input from a trader, andzooming, scrolling, or panning the grid area in response to the input.Additionally or alternatively, the method can further include accepting,with the input device, input from the trader for an order at a selectedprice and submit said order at said selected price, and/or generatingcolor gradients of a third color for orders placed into the market bythe trader.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method fordisplaying market depth information includes generating a graphicalrepresentation of order prices at a plurality of time intervals in amarket for a market instrument, calculating a gradient for each orderprice at each time interval based on a corresponding order volume, andmodifying the graphical representation for each order price at each timeinterval by applying the gradient. The method includes displaying themodified graphical representation to reflect historical market depth inthe market for the market instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for displaying marketdepth information of a market instrument in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for displaying market depthinformation of a market instrument in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system for displayinghistorical market depth information of a market instrument in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary zoomed-out historical market depthdisplay in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for displaying historical marketdepth information of a market instrument in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters,unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements,components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, whilethe disclosed subject matter will now be described in detail withreference to the figures, it is done so in connection with theillustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are describedbelow, with reference to the figures, for purposes of illustration, andnot limitation.

In one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods fordisplaying market depth information include generating an expectedprofile including an expected metric corresponding to one or more bidand ask order metrics included in market depth information for a marketinstrument. For purpose of clarity, and not limitation, exemplaryembodiments of the systems and methods of this aspect of the disclosedsubject matter will be described concurrently with reference to FIG. 1and FIG. 2 . In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, with referenceto FIG. 1 , a system for displaying market depth information can includea computing device 150 including one or more processors, which can beconfigured to receive market depth information for a market instrument.Although described with reference to FIG. 1 in connection with computingdevice 150, one of skill in the art will appreciate the techniquesdisclosed herein can be implemented in any combination of software,general-purpose hardware, and special purpose hardware. The computingdevice 150 can include, for example, a stand-alone computer, mobilecomputing devices, a server, server cluster, distributed computingsystem, a cloud-based computing system, or the like. The computingdevice can be connected to a network, such as the internet or anintranet, for receiving (210) the market depth information.

As used herein, market depth information refers to quantities of themarket instrument available at particular prices, including“consolidated market depth” information when the volume from differentexchanges is aggregated. That is, the market depth information can bereceived from, for example, one or more host computers corresponding toan exchange 170. Additionally or alternatively, the market depthinformation can be received from one or more computing devicesassociated with an entity providing market data, such as a broker orother third party provider of market data. It is recognized that marketdepth information can be retrieved by the computing device 150 directlyfrom multiple trading venues or other providers of market data, or froman intermediary after aggregation of market data. It is also recognizedthat the extent of the market depth available to a trader for a marketinstrument can depend on the exchange.

For purpose of explanation, and not limitation, exchanges typicallymaintain a listing of orders for each financial instrument traded on theexchange. An order can be an offer to buy (e.g., a bid order) or sell(e.g., a sell order) a specified number of shares of a financialinstrument at an identified price. As used herein, an order can include,without limitation, a market order (i.e., an order to buy or sell afinancial instrument immediately at the best available price), a stoporder (i.e., an order that will be executed as a market order when themarket price of the financial instrument rises to surpass the identifiedprice), a limit order (i.e., an order that will only be executed as theidentified price or within an identified price range), or any otherorder type. Many exchanges and other trading venues publish market datainformation, referred to as level 2 market data, that provide updates asorders are added, removed, or changed.

The publishing of this market depth information typically includeseither the publishing of full order depth or price aggregated marketdepth. Full order depth market information can include individual ordersfor the financial instrument along with corresponding metrics, whereasprice aggregated market depth can include metrics corresponding toidentified price levels. Recipients of full order depth marketinformation can process the received information as desired, forexample, to split the orders into price intervals and correspondingmetrics. One of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that marketdepth information can be received in other formats and/or from multiplesources, and can be processed by recipients in other manner.

As described herein, the market depth information can include aplurality of bid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of themarket instrument. As used herein, order metrics can include, forexample, the volume at particular prices. It is recognized that marketdepth information is typically provided in this manner. However, ordermetrics can also include order count (i.e., the number of ordersavailable at corresponding prices), and/or consideration (i.e., thevolume at particular prices multiplied by the prices). For purpose ofillustration, and not limitation, exemplary embodiments are describedherein with reference to order volume particular prices. It isappreciated, however, that the techniques disclosed herein can alsoapply to other order metrics, such as order count and/or consideration.

The computing device 150 can be configured to generate (220) a graphicalrepresentation 100 of the market depth information having a first axiscorresponding to the bid and ask order metrics of the market instrumentand a second axis corresponding to price of the market instrument. Forexample, The computing device 150 can include one or more processors,one or more memories, and networking hardware for receiving the marketdepth information. The one or more processors of the computing devicecan be adapted to display, on the display device 140, a bar graph. Asdepicted in FIG. 1 , the bar graph can be a horizontal bar graph 100,with the x-axis of the bar graph can represent volume. It is recognizedthat, in connection with certain embodiments, the x-axis can alsorepresent order count and/or consideration. The y-axis can correspond tothe price of the market instrument. One of skill in the art willappreciate that other graphical representations may be used instead of abar graph 100, and that the axes can be varied as desired. The price canbe split into intervals. The size of the price interval can be, forexample, the tick size, which can be provided by the trading venue orexchange. The volume of the market instrument available at each priceinterval can be displayed, as depicted in FIG. 1 as a bar. For example,the length of the bar can correspond to the volume available at a priceinterval. The volumes corresponding to bids (103) and asks (101) can beseparated by a divider, and can be displayed in different colors forease of visualization.

As embodied herein, the computing device can be configured to generate(230) an expected profile including an expected metric corresponding toone or more of the plurality of bid and ask order metrics based on atleast the market depth information, and align (240) the expected profilealong the second axis of the graphical representation of the marketdepth information, whereby one or more expected metrics are superimposedover corresponding bid and ask order metrics. For example, withreference to FIG. 1 and in connection with an exemplary embodiment, anexpected profile for bids 104 and asks 102 can be generated given thecurrent market depth prices and volumes and can be displayed over thevolume bars. For example, the one or more processors of the computingdevice can be configured to process the received market depthinformation and generate a distribution of bids and a distribution ofasks. This distribution can be generated, for example, using one or moreof regression techniques, such as least squares or polynomialregression, weighted averaging, and/or other suitable techniques knownto those skilled in the art. The resulting graphical representation ofthe market depth information and the expected profile can be displayed(260) with a display device coupled to the computing device.

For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, an exemplary processfor calculating an expected profile is provided with reference toTable 1. Table 1 provides a simplified tabular representation of marketdepth information for a fictitious financial instrument, with orderquantity (i.e., number of shares) divided into price intervals of 5 andfurther categorized as bid orders and ask orders.

TABLE 1 Bid Quantity (BQ) Price (P) Ask Quantity (AQ) 200 120 800 1151250 110 1000 105 100 400 95 800 90 1350 85 800 80 200 75 100

In connection with this example, an expected profile for bid quantitycan be calculated by performing regression analysis on the bidquantities relative to corresponding prices. For example, and notlimitation, the computing device can be configured to performarbitrarily dimensioned polynomial regression, e.g., taking the form ofBQ(P)=β₁×P+β₂×P²+β₃×P³+β₄, where β₁ . . . β₄ are the regressioncoefficients. In this example, the regression coefficients for the bidorders can be calculated as β₁=29662; β₂=−256; β₃=0.777; β₄=−1e+6. Fromthese coefficients, a distribution curve can be calculated continuouslyover a desired range. Similarly, regression can also be performed on theask quantities in a similar fashion.

In certain embodiments, the computing device can be further configuredto calculate a standard deviation from the expected profile and generateerror bars corresponding to a highest and lowest expected metric foreach bid and ask order metric. For example, where the graphicalrepresentation incudes an axis corresponding to order volume, thecomputing device can calculate a standard deviation from the expectedprofile and determine a highest and lowest expected volume at each priceinterval. The highest and lowest expected volume can be displayed aserror bars around the expected profile.

Display of the expected profile can facilitate the identification ofunusual or aberrational volumes available at certain prices. Forexample, the expected bid profile 104 can facilitate the identification(250) of prices at which the available bid volume diverges from theexpected profile (e.g., 120 a and 120 b). Likewise, the expected askprofile 102 can facilitate the identification prices at which theavailable ask volume diverges from the expected profile (e.g., 110 a,110 b, and 110 c).

For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, identification (250) ofunusual or aberrational volumes can be used by a trader to determine theprice at which bids or asks should be placed. For example, a trader maywish to identify prices at which volume may be added to the depthwithout signaling trading intentions to the market. In accordance withthe disclosed subject matter, the expected profile of bids 104 can bedisplayed such that prices with available volume below the expectedprofile (120 a and 120 b) can be easily identified. Such techniques canimprove trading profitability as well as improve price-time priorityqueue positions. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter, the one or more processors of the computing device can furtherbe configured to identify a suggested price point 120 a at which thedifference between the available volume at that price and the expectedprofile is greatest, thereby identifying for the trader a price at whichadditional volume can be added without signaling trade intentions.

As embodied herein, the one or more processors of the computing devicecan further be configured to accept input (270) from a trader for neworders at a particular price. For example, the bar graph can include oneor more buttons or links adapted to accept user input corresponding to adesired trade price. Clicking on a price can cause the one or moreprocessors to launch a trade entry dialog or instant order for theselected price point (280). In an exemplary embodiment, the volume forthe order can be given as the difference between the available volume atthe selected price and the expected profile if the volume is lower thanthe expected profile.

Additionally, for purpose of illustration and not limitation, thecomputing device can further be configured to demarcate, on thegraphical representation, the position and size of a trader'soutstanding orders already placed into the market depth. For example, inconnection with embodiments in which order volume is displayed as a bargraph, the price intervals corresponding to the trader's pending orderscan be displayed as a stacked bar with the trader's order volumedisplayed in a different color. Additionally or alternatively, thetrader's pending orders can be demarcated with a graphical symbol ortext proximate corresponding prices. The management of these existingmarket orders may also be carried out from this display.

Techniques for displaying market depth information can further includeupdating the bar graph at periodic time intervals (e.g., continuouslyupdating the display 260). The one or more processors of the computingdevice can be configured to update the bar graph upon receipt of marketdepth information (210) for the next time interval.

The techniques disclosed herein provide for an organized display ofmarket depth information which allows for enhanced visualization andidentification of unusual volumes or trading patterns at priceintervals. Accordingly, the techniques disclosed herein can provide atrader with the ability to efficiently and accurately place orders formarket instruments in an electronic trading environment.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methodsfor displaying market depth information include generating a graphicalrepresentation of market depth information including associated timeinformation. For purpose of clarity, and not limitation, exemplaryembodiments of the systems and methods of this aspect of the disclosedsubject matter will be described concurrently with reference to FIG. 3 ,FIG. 4 , and FIG. 5 .

In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 ,a system for displaying market depth information can include a computingdevice 150, including one or more processors, which can be configured toreceive market depth information for a market instrument. The computingdevice 150 can include the same components as that described withreference to FIG. 1 , and can likewise be connected to a network forreceiving (510) the market depth information. As noted above, althoughdescribed with reference to computing device 150, the techniquesdisclosed herein can be implemented in any combination of software,general-purpose hardware, and special purpose hardware.

As described above, market depth information can be published byexchanges or other parties that have access to such information and canbe provided in a variety of forms. In some instances, market depthinformation provided by an exchange or other source can include timedata corresponding to orders or order volume and price. For example,when a new order is placed on an exchange, the exchange may notifysubscribers of the number of shares and price of the order along with atimestamp indicating the time at which the exchange received the order.Additionally or alternatively, the exchange may aggregate orders andperiodically provide subscribers with updates including informationabout the time one or more orders has been pending.

In instances in which the exchange or other source of market depthinformation does not provide information regarding the time of orders,time information may be derived based on the time the market depthinformation is sent to subscribers. For example, if an exchange providesupdates to subscribers when new orders are submitted without acorresponding timestamp, a subscriber may record the time at which theupdate was received. For price aggregated market depth information,where an exchange provides periodic updates including aggregated volumefor price intervals, subscribers may compare volume at each priceinterval of an update to a previous update and determine the new volumeadded over the interval between updates. One of skill in the art willfurther appreciate that time information related to an order book mayalso be provided and/or derived in a variety of other suitable manners.

In connection with this aspect of the disclosed subject matter, themarket depth information can include a plurality of bid and ask ordermetrics at corresponding prices of the market instrument and associatedtime information. Such metrics can include, without limitation, thevolume at particular price, order count, and/or consideration. Forpurpose of illustration, and not limitation, exemplary embodiments aredescribed herein with reference to order volume at particular prices. Itis appreciated, however, that the techniques disclosed herein can alsoapply to other order metrics, such as order count and/or consideration.

The computing device 150 can be configured to generate (520) a graphicalrepresentation 300 of the market depth information having a first axiscorresponding to time and a second axis corresponding to price of themarket instrument. In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, thecomputing device 150 can be configured to split the first axis into timeintervals and split the second axis into price intervals, such that thegraphical representation of the market depth information includes atwo-dimensional grid indexed by time interval and price interval, andthe color gradient at each location within the grid corresponds to avolume over the corresponding time interval.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the graphicalrepresentation can take the form of a plot having an x-axis and ay-axis, with the x-axis representing time. The time axis can be splitinto predetermined intervals. The y-axis can correspond to the price ofthe market instrument. The price can likewise be split into intervals.The size of the price interval (305, 405) can be, for example, the ticksize, which can be provided by the trading venue or exchange. The volumeof the market instrument available at each price within each timeinterval can be displayed. As embodied herein, if volume is changedduring a time interval, the volume displayed can be the volume availableat the beginning of the time interval, the average volume, the volume atthe end of the time interval, or any other suitable measure of volumecorresponding to that time interval.

The computing device 150 can be configured to generate (530) a colorgradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and ask order metricsbased on the market depth information and align (540) the color gradientcorresponding to a bid or ask order metric at a corresponding locationalong the first axis and second axis of the graphical representation ofthe market depth information. That is, for example, the volume of themarket instrument available at each price interval and each timeinterval can be displayed by determining a color gradient value (e.g., alevel of opacity) and displaying a representation of the determinedcolor gradient over the region of the plot (e.g., 301 and 401)corresponding to a price interval and time interval. For example, in oneembodiment, high volume can correspond to a strong color and low volumecan correspond to weak color. The volume available at each priceinterval and each time interval can be represented by a gradient ofcolor which can be different for a bid and an ask (302, 402). Forexample, bid volumes can be shown in red, and ask volumes can be shownin blue. As an alternative or in addition to color, greyscale, or otherdisplay objects that can convey gradient, could also be used. Theresulting graphical representation of the market depth information andthe color gradients can be displayed (560) with a display device 140coupled to the computing device.

For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, generating a colorgradient can include mapping one or more bid and ask order metrics to anumerical value representative of color. For example, as will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, color can berepresented numerically a combination of red, green, and blue values,often referred to as RGB color. Each of the red, green, and blue colorvalues are defined by an integer between 0 and 255 (or a hex valuebetween 0x00 and 0xFF), such that any given color can be represented asa value between RGB(0, 0, 0) (or 0x000000; black) and RGB(255, 255, 255)(or 0xFFFFFF; white). In connection with an embodiment in which bidvolumes are shown in red (which can be represented as RGB(255, 0, 0)), acolor gradient for a particular bid volume can be generated bydetermining a percentile for the particular bid volume. The red valuecan be set according to this percentile. For example, a bid volume inthe first percentile (e.g., within the top 10% of order volumes) cancorrespond to red value of 255, a bid volume within the secondpercentile (e.g., within the top 20% to 10% of all order volumes) cancorrespond to a red value of 200, and the last percentile (e.g., withinthe bottom 10%) can correspond to a red value of 10. One of skill in theart will appreciate that the number and grouping of percentiles can bevaried as desired.

Additionally, one of skill in the art will appreciate that color canalso be represented as a base color and an alpha blending parameter. Thealpha blending parameter can be an integer between 0 and 255 thatcorresponds to the amount of transparency of the color. For example, ifthe base color is red, e.g., RGB(255, 0, 0), and the alpha blendingparameter is 25, the resulting color can be red with a transparency ofabout 10% (e.g., RGB(10, 0, 0)). In this manner, generating a colorgradient for a particular bid order volume including determining thealpha blending parameter, e.g., by percentile. One of skill in the artwill appreciate that a variety of other suitable techniques exist forgenerating a color gradient, and that the disclosed subject matter isnot intended to be limited to the examples disclosed herein.

In connection with certain embodiments, unusual or aberrational volumesavailable at certain prices and times can be identified (550).Identification of unusual or aberrational volumes can be accomplishedwith reference to predetermined criteria entered by a trader or othermathematical techniques. These identified aberrational volumes can bedisplayed by coloring corresponding to regions on the plot (e.g., 103,203) with a color different from the bid/ask palette. For example, theregions corresponding to aberrational volumes can be represented asaqua.

Identification of unusual or aberrational volumes can includeutilization of the techniques disclosed herein for generating anexpected profile. For example, an expected profile can be calculated forone or more of the time intervals within the grid using the techniquesdisclosed herein. An expected volume for each price interval within agiven time interval can be determined, and aberrational volumes can beidentified by comparing the expected volumes with the volumes atcorresponding display locations. For example, and not limitation, aparticular location within the grid can be assigned a particular colorif the different between the expected volume and the actual volumesurpasses a predetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment,techniques such as regression analysis, percentiles, z-scores, or thelike can be used to compute the color and/or color gradient of locationswithin the grid that have been identified as corresponding toaberrational volume, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. For example an aberrational volume color is colored dark redusing an RGB value of (255, 0, 0) when the volume is within the top 1%of volumes currently on display on the grid. Another example would becoloring aberrational volume when the calculated Z-Score is greater than5.

Techniques for displaying market depth information can further includedisplaying indicative date and time of the last time interval 304, 404.Additionally or alternatively, time stamps can be displayed along thex-axis. The one or more processors of the computing device 150 can beconfigured to scroll (515) the plot area each time interval (e.g., fromright to left) to record a historical market depth profile as time movesforward, thereby creating a “snail trail” of the price. To furtherenhance the organization and representation of the market depthinformation, grid lines can be displayed at the border of eachtime/price interval as shown in FIG. 3 .

In connection with an exemplary embodiment, the one or more processorsof the computing device can further be configured to zoom and/or pan theplot area. For example, the plot area can include buttons (306, 406)and/or a scroll bar adapted to accept user input (570) corresponding toa desired zooming action. As illustrated by FIG. 4 , the plot area canbe displayed in a zoomed-out fashion, thereby allowing visualization ofa longer time period and showing more price intervals.

In certain embodiments, the computing device 150 can be furtherconfigured to accept input (570) from the trader for an order at aselected price and submit said order at said selected price, asdescribed herein with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . For example, thecomputing device can allow placement of new market order (580) when atrader clicks on a selected price shown either in the grid or on theaxis. The grid can also be adapted to display graphical indications ofthe trader's orders in the historical order book. For example, locationswithin the grid in which the trader has placed an order can be coloredusing a different color palette than those used for the bid, ask, and/oraberrational volume locations.

The techniques disclosed herein provide for an organized display ofhistorical market depth information which allows for enhancedvisualization of complex market depth information in an easy to usesystem. Accordingly, the techniques disclosed herein can provide atrader with the ability to efficiently and accurately place orders formarket instruments in an electronic trading environment, and visualizetheir own market orders within the historic time frame chosen.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methodsfor displaying market depth information can include generating both agraphical representation of historical market depth (e.g., as disclosedherein with reference to FIGS. 1-2 ), and a graphical representation ofcurrent market depth information with an expected profile overlay (e.g.,as disclosed herein with reference to FIGS. 3-5 ). For example, a singlecomputing device (e.g., computing device 150) can be configured as atrading workstation and can display each graphical representation in aseparate frame or window of the display, or can be configured toalternatively display one or the other. The computing device 105 can beconfigured to allow a trader to select which graphical representationsto display as desired, along with other information conventionallydisplayed in connection with electronic trading, such as level 1 marketinformation, charts, technical, and the like. Additionally, one of skillin the art will appreciate that the techniques and features ofembodiments described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-2 can be appliedto the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 3-5 and vice versa.

* * *

As described above in connection with certain embodiments, certaincomponents, e.g., computing device 150 and exchange 170 can include acomputer or computers, processor, network, mobile device, cluster, orother hardware to perform various functions. Moreover, certain elementsof the disclosed subject matter can be embodied in computer readablecode which can be stored on computer readable media and which whenexecuted can cause a processor to perform certain functions describedherein. In these embodiments, the computer and/or other hardware play asignificant role in permitting the system and method for displayingmarket depth information. For example, the presence of the computers,processors, memory, storage, and networking hardware provides theability to display market depth information in a more efficient manner.Moreover, the display of market depth information, cannot beaccomplished with pen or paper, as such information is received over anetwork in electronic form.

Additionally, as described above in connection with certain embodiments,certain components can communicate with certain other components, forexample via a network, e.g., the internet. To the extent not expresslystated above, the disclosed subject matter is intended to encompass bothsides of each transaction, including transmitting and receiving. One ofordinary skill in the art will readily understand that with regard tothe features described above, if one component transmits, sends, orotherwise makes available to another component, the other component willreceive or acquire, whether expressly stated or not.

The presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited in scope bythe specific embodiments herein. Indeed, various modifications of thedisclosed subject matter in addition to those described herein willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoingdescription and the accompanying figures. Such modifications areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for displaying market depthinformation and identifying unusual or aberrational trading patterns,comprising: a first computing device including one or more processors,configured to: receive market depth information for a market instrumentas input from one or more second computing devices over a network, saidmarket depth information including bid and ask order metrics atcorresponding prices of the market instrument and associated timeinformation, wherein the bid and ask order metrics include bid and askorder volumes: generate a graphical representation of the market depthinformation having a first axis corresponding to time and a second axiscorresponding to price of the market instrument; generate a discretecolor gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and ask ordermetrics based on at least the market depth information; align thediscrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid and askorder metrics at corresponding locations within intervals of thegraphical representation of the market depth information, wherein thecolor gradient at each location corresponds to a volume over acorresponding time interval; compare at least a first section of thegraphical representation with one or more predetermined criteriaindicative of aberrational order volume at a location within the firstsection; change the coloring of locations within the first sectioncorresponding to aberrational order volume; update the color gradientand axis alignment based on at least the market depth information,wherein the suggested price point for placing an order identifies aprice without signaling trade intentions; and indicate, via the colorgradient, a suggested price point for placing an order; display, via adisplay device coupled with the first computing device, the graphicalrepresentation of the market depth information and the aligned colorgradient, wherein the graphical representation is displayed onto a plotarea and the aligned color gradient is displayed within the graphicalrepresentation, wherein the plot area includes a button configured toaccept a first input corresponding to a desired trade price and a scrollbar configured to accept a second input corresponding to a zoom action;determine a visual change in the display of the plot area in response toreceipt of a first input; update the plot area on the display device,wherein the update reflects the change in the display of the plot area;determine the suggested price point at which the aberrational ordervolume is lower than the expected volume based; accept an input from aninput device, coupled to the first computing device, via the grid at alocation corresponding to the suggested price point; and create an orderat the suggested price point and a selected order volume; and an inputdevice coupled to the first computing device for accepting an input,wherein the first computing device is further configured to zoom,scroll, or pan the grid area in response to the input; the firstcomputing device is further configured to accept input for an order at aselected price and submit said order at said selected price; and thefirst computing device is further configured to generate color gradientsof a third color for orders placed into the market.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first computing device is further configured toreceive market depth information for the market instrument from aplurality of sources.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the bid and askorder metrics include, for each corresponding price, one or more oforder volume at the corresponding price, number of orders available atthe corresponding price, and consideration of orders available at thecorresponding price, and wherein a size of the price intervals is a ticksize of the market instrument.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thevolume over the corresponding time interval includes a volume selectedfrom the group consisting of a volume at the beginning of the timeinterval, a volume at the end of the time interval, and an averagevolume over the time interval.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst computing device is further configured to generate color gradientsof a first color for bid orders and generate color gradients of a secondcolor for ask orders.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstcomputing device is configured to: compare the grid with one or morepredetermined criteria by calculating an expected profile for at leastone time interval on the grid, the expected profile including anexpected volume for each price interval at the at least one timeinterval; and compare the expected volumes with the order volumes atcorresponding price intervals.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thefirst computing device is further configured to change the coloring oflocations within the grid corresponding to locations where thedifference between the expected volume and the order volume are below apredetermined threshold.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstcomputing device is further configured to scroll the grid along thefirst axis upon a new time interval.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinthe order created at the suggested price point and selected order volumeresults in an improved priority queue position, and wherein the priorityqueue is a price-time priority queue.
 10. A method for displaying marketdepth information and identifying unusual or aberrational tradingpatterns, comprising: receiving at a first computing device coupled witha display device, market depth information for a market instrument asinput from one or more second computing devices over a network, saidmarket depth information including one or more bid and ask order metricsat corresponding prices of the market instrument and associated timeinformation, wherein the bid and ask order metrics include one or morebid and ask order volumes; generating a graphical representation of themarket depth information having a first axis corresponding to time and asecond axis corresponding to price of the market instrument; generatinga discrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of the bid andask order metrics based on at least the market depth information;aligning the discrete color gradient corresponding to one or more of thebid and ask order metrics at corresponding locations within intervals ofthe graphical representation of the market depth information, whereinthe color gradient at each location corresponds to a volume over acorresponding time interval; comparing, with the first computing device,at least a first section of the graphical representation with one ormore predetermined criteria indicative of aberrational order volume at alocation within the first section; changing the coloring of locationswithin the first section corresponding to aberrational order volume;updating the color gradient and axis alignment based on at least themarket depth information, wherein the suggested price point for placingan order identifies a price without signaling trade intentions;indicating, via the color gradient, a suggested price point for placingan order; displaying, with the display device, the graphicalrepresentation of the market depth information and the aligned colorgradient, wherein the graphical representation is displayed onto a plotarea and the aligned color gradient is displayed within the graphicalrepresentation, wherein the plot area includes a button configured toaccept a first input corresponding to a desired trade price, and whereinthe plot area includes a scroll bar configured to accept a second inputcorresponding to a zoom action; determining a visual change in the plotarea in response to receipt of a first input; update the plot area onthe display device, wherein the update reflects the change in thedisplay of the plot area; determining the suggested price point at whichthe aberrational order volume is lower than the expected volume based;accepting an input from an input device, coupled to the computingdevice, via the grid at a location corresponding to the suggested pricepoint; and creating an order at the suggested price point and a selectedorder volume.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the bid and ask ordermetrics include, for each corresponding price, one or more of ordervolume at the corresponding price, number of orders available at thecorresponding price, and consideration of orders available at thecorresponding price.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the volume overthe corresponding time interval includes a volume selected from thegroup consisting of a volume at the beginning of the time interval, avolume at the end of the time interval, and an average volume over thetime interval.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein generating a colorgradient corresponding to one or more of the plurality of bid and askorder volumes includes generating color gradients of a first color forbid orders and generate color gradients of a second color for askorders.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein comparing the grid with oneor more predetermined criteria includes: calculating an expected profilefor at least one time interval on the grid, the expected profileincluding an expected volume for each price interval at the at least onetime interval; and comparing the expected volumes with the order volumesat corresponding price intervals.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinchanging the coloring of locations within the grid including changingthe coloring of locations corresponding to locations where thedifference between the expected volume and the order volume are below apredetermined threshold.